Prosecutors consider next moves vs. Bonds

SAN FRANCISCO — After years of investigation, three weeks of trial and millions of dollars spent pursuing Barry Bonds, federal prosecutors were back where they started Thursday: deciding whether to try to prove the home run king's records were built with steroids and lies.

On Wednesday, the jury that was to decide whether Bonds deceived a grand jury in 2003 when he denied knowingly using performance-enhancing drugs instead left the issue unresolved.

The panel of eight women and four men convicted Bonds of obstructing justice but deadlocked on the three charges at the heart of the government's perjury case, including two counts of lying about the use of steroids and human growth hormone. U.S. District Judge Susan Illston declared a mistrial on those three charges.

Now, prosecutors must weigh whether to spend still more money, and staff time, conducting another trial. They typically take into account a hung jury's vote when making such a call, but legal analysts warn that the Bonds trial was different from the typical criminal case and the usual practices don't apply to such a high-profile defendant.

A May 20 hearing date has been set to discuss the issue of a new trial and to schedule a sentencing date for Bonds.

Bonds attorney Dennis Riordan is contesting the obstruction charge. The judge will rule on the request later.

At least eight of the 12 jurors said prosecutors failed to show that Bonds knew he was taking steroids and HGH. Prosecutors must wrestle with jurors who pointed to credibility gaps with several key government witnesses.

Twins put Mauer on DL

The Twins put All-Star C Joe Mauer on the 15-day disabled list after their game against the Rays. Before the game, the team said Mauer was not in the lineup due to soreness, but manager Ron Gardenhire wouldn't say where the soreness was. After the game, the manager called the reason leg weakness.

"I think they say it was bilateral leg weakness, which is causing all kinds of soreness," said Gardenhire, who is not sure how long Mauer will be out. "He's compensating because of the surgery he had this winter."

Mauer had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee in the offseason and had a light workload during spring training to try to reduce the wear on his legs.

Robinson better: Hall of Fame 3B Brooks Robinson, 73, has been discharged from a Baltimore hospital after being treated for a fever and infection.

Replay talks: MLB is leaning toward expanding replay for the 2012 season to include trapped balls and fair-or-foul rulings, the Associated Press reported.

Aid for Giants fan: Giants ace Tim Lincecum is giving $25,000 to assist the fan who was attacked outside Dodger Stadium last month. Lincecum's donation will go to the Bryan Stow Fund to help with the 42-year-old paramedic's medical bills and expenses. Stow was beaten in a parking lot March 31 and remains hospitalized in a medically induced coma. No arrests have been made despite a $150,000 reward. The Giants have raised nearly $70,000.

Ring for Raffle: The Giants are raffling off a World Series ring identical to those the players and staff received. The proceeds will benefit the club's community service arm. Tickets are available at sfgiants.com/ringraffle.

Blue Jays: The team filed a claim for $470,854 from the Canadian government after being forced to shift a series vs. the Phillies last year because of the G-20 summit, the Canadian Press reported.

Mets: RHP Chris Young (right biceps tendinitis) threw a bullpen session. His start scheduled for today in Atlanta has been moved to Sunday.

Yankees: Reliever Pedro Feliciano has a torn capsule in his left shoulder and will get a second opinion before deciding if he should have season-ending surgery.

UPDATE, 5:59 p.m.: The Rays are officially eliminated from the playoff race with their next loss or the Twins next win. ... Both LHP Xavier Cedeno and 3B coach Charlie Montoyo got word that their familes in Puerto Rico were safe and their homes withstood the hurricane. ... Ramos said he wasn't focused on the …